Cease and Desist Letter Video #8

What Needs To Go In The Cease And Desist Letter And The Request For Verification Letter

Hi. I am Nevada Licensed Debt Adjuster Damian Falcone, here with a quick addition to our debt settlement, debt consolidation, debt management and credit management series'. In our last video we talked about dealing with debt collection agencies. In this part we will talk specifically about what needs to go in the cease and desist letter and the request for verification letter.

The cease and desist letter and the request for verification letter are two of the most important tools when dealing with a debt collector and they are both easy to write.

Let’s start with the basic cease and desist letter. You will want to include:

From:Your full name
Your address

Who it is going To:The Name of Collection Agency
Their Address

Re: The Account Number

And something like:

To whom it may concern:

Pursuant to my rights under federal debt collection laws, I am requesting that you cease and desist all further communication with me in relation to this and any other debts that you claim I owe.

I intend to keep a log of any contacts you make with me after you receive this letter and am aware that any further communications by you will make you liable for $1,000 per communication plus actual damages and attorney’s fees.

Sincerely,

___________________Your signature

Make sure that you clearly indicate who it is addressed to and make sure to reference your name and any file number or account number associated with the debt. Then, all you really need to state is that you wish all communications from the debt collection agency to cease. You will also notice language in this example that lets the debt collector know that you are aware of the consequences of their failure to honor your request. We will discuss this further in our next video. This letter can go out at any time during the collection process.

The request for verification is just as simple to write as the cease and desist letter.

You will want to include:

From:Your full name
Your address

Who it is going To:The Name of Collection Agency
Their Address

Re: The Account Number

To whom it may concern:

In accordance with the FDCPA, I am requesting that you verify and validate the above-referenced debt.

Sincerely,

___________________Your signature

Once again, include the debt collector’s contact information and make sure that you include your name and account number on the letter so that the collector knows which file you are talking about. The letter does not need to be fancy – it just needs to state that you are requesting that the debt be verified in accordance with the FDCPA. Make sure that this letter goes out within 30 days of the debt collector’s initial contact with you.

One final note: Make sure that both the cease and desist letter and the request for verification letter are sent by certified mail and keep a copy.This copy will be proof of your request should you need to sue the creditor. Also make sure to keep the return receipt form because you may use this as evidence that you sent the letter and that the debt collector received it.

Tune in for our next video where we will discuss what to do about debt collectors that fail to honor your written requests or engage in other illegal practices.